A new study by Stanford researchers and others finds that a relatively affordable remediation process can almost entirely remove lead from contaminated soil, but challenges persist due to ongoing sources of exposure. The study's results raise troubling questions about how to effectively eliminate the poison from children's bodies.
Researchers led by Syracuse University's Suzanne Baldwin deciphered the story of garnet sand, which holds secrets of its journey through the rock cycle. The findings indicate that the rock recycling process occurred in less than 10 million years, offering insights into geologic evolution and plate boundary dynamics.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a technique to convert pyrolyzed plastic ash into turbostratic graphene flakes, which can be added to materials like polyvinyl alcohol films and Portland cement to improve their compressive strength and resistance to water. The process has the potential to reduce energy use and cut pollutan...
Bath scientists and industry partners are developing a way to chemically break down mixtures of plastics into their constituent molecules, enabling more efficient recycling. The team is also exploring automation of the process to enhance efficiency.
Researchers at UC Berkeley develop a new catalytic process converting polyethylene plastic into high-value adhesives, enhancing its stickiness without compromising other traits. This breakthrough could change the economics of turning waste into valuable products.
A recent study by Kaunas University of Technology found that large European manufacturing companies prioritize environmental impact reports over circular economy principles. The researchers analyzed 226 companies' GRI reports and discovered a lack of disclosure on product lifecycle extension, material reuse, and recycling technologies.
A University of Michigan-led study finds that urine diversion and recycling can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, freshwater consumption, and the potential for algal blooms. The method also has lower environmental impacts than conventional wastewater treatment and fertilizer production methods.
Autophagy enables efficient nutrient use and survival in cells by recycling amino acids. The study found that autophagy-derived metabolites, particularly serine, facilitate respiratory growth by supporting one-carbon metabolism and mitochondrial protein synthesis.
A new study finds that electronic waste generated by Americans has been declining since 2015, mainly due to the decrease of bulky CRT displays. This decline poses challenges for e-waste recycling regulations and the recovery of critical elements like cobalt and indium.
Lauren Greenlee will investigate iron and oxygen atoms using X-ray spectroscopy to improve battery materials and water treatment. The project aims to design catalysts for polymer conversion and recycling, leading to enhanced industrial applications.
The University of Oklahoma faculty member will explore innovative ways to break down various types of plastic, including multi-layered packaging, to increase recyclability. The research aims to design catalysts that target impurities, producing a pure stream of higher value material.
Engineers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a method for reclaiming polymers in multilayer plastics using solvents. The STRAP process uses thermodynamic calculations to separate polymers and has the potential to close the recycling loop.
A new report reveals that using materials more efficiently can reduce GHG emissions from residential buildings and passenger vehicles by an average of 40% in seven major developed countries and 70% in China and India. Strategies include ride-sharing, building smaller homes, and recycling materials.
The American Chemical Society has unveiled its annual list of 10 promising chemistry start-ups, focusing on innovative solutions for drug discovery, waste recycling, sustainable materials, and quantum computing. Companies like Aryballe and Evrnu are developing groundbreaking technologies to address pressing global challenges.
A new environmentally friendly method for restoring spent cathodes to mint condition could make it more economical to recycle lithium-ion batteries. Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a process that uses inexpensive and benign chemicals, consumes 80-90% less energy, and emits 75% less greenhouse gases.
Researchers studied the use of plastic in nest construction by leaf-cutter bees and found it could change the environment of their nests. They suggest using natural fibers instead to avoid harmful effects on the insects.
A new study reveals the United States is a top source of plastic pollution in coastal environments, contributing up to 2.25 million metric tons of plastics. The country's high plastic waste generation and lack of effective recycling practices are major contributors to this problem.
Researchers at Rice University have created a new method to convert plastic waste into high-quality graphene, offering a potential solution to the global plastic waste crisis. The flash graphene process eliminates much of the expense associated with recycling plastic, making it an economically viable alternative.
A study from the University of Michigan challenges the notion that plastic packaging is the primary environmental concern, instead revealing that product content often has a greater impact. The research emphasizes the importance of reducing overall consumption and waste management.
Researchers have developed a powerful, low-cost method for recycling used cooking oil and agricultural waste into biodiesel, and turning food scraps and plastic rubbish into high-value products. The new catalyst can make biodiesel from low-grade ingredients containing up to 50% contaminants.
Researchers at UCSB have developed a low-energy, one-pot catalytic method to upcycle polyethylene plastic into high-value alkylaromatic molecules. This process creates valuable molecules from waste plastic, making recycling more practical and environmentally beneficial.
A new modelling study by researchers at UCL and Yale found that paper recycling may increase greenhouse gas emissions unless powered by renewable energy. The study suggests that modernising landfill practices and using renewable energy can reduce emissions significantly.
Industry is shifting towards chemical recycling as a solution to tackle the problem of plastics, breaking down them into their building blocks. The process has environmental benefits but also raises concerns about reducing plastic consumption and increasing disposable packaging production.
The Membrane Solvent Extraction (MSX) process developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory allows for the recovery of highly pure cobalt, nickel, lithium, and manganese from spent lithium-ion batteries. This technology contributes to a circular economy by recycling end-of-life products without generating hazardous waste.
Researchers at KAUST developed semiconductive photocatalysts that efficiently absorb solar energy, reducing the energy required for a bioelectrochemical process to convert CO2 into valuable chemicals. The technology has the potential to reduce carbon emissions while generating useful products.
A new research project aims to develop a camera-based separation system that can categorize plastic waste according to its specific properties. The technology will increase the quality of recycled plastics and improve traceability, aiming for a purity of at least 96% by polymer type.
Scientists have created a new enzyme 'cocktail' that can digest plastic up to six times faster than existing methods. The combination of two enzymes, PETase and MHETase, breaks down polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into its building blocks, enabling recycling and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A study published in the Western Journal of Emergency Medicine found that 85% of medical waste does not meet regulated standards for disposal. By implementing changes such as reusable devices, better sorting of infectious waste, and effective recycling, hospitals can reduce waste while saving costs. The study suggests that hospitals co...
Scientists have identified enzymes ASB13 and USB20 that regulate the recycling of a dangerous protein called SNAI2, which helps cancers metastasize. Targeting these enzymes may provide a way to control SNAI2's aggressiveness and prevent cancer progression.
Researchers aim to determine how autophagy, a cellular recycling process, is related to Alzheimer's disease and dementia. They will examine the effect of compromised autophagy on peripheral tissues and explore potential interventions to reverse decline.
Researchers at Skoltech have developed a simple and efficient method to convert silicon wafers into nanoparticles in an aqueous solution, providing a new source of sustainable materials. The process enables controlling particle sizes and has implications for optics, photonics, medicine, and other fields.
The research reviews recent progress on ridge subduction, a key geological process involved in the generation of arc magmatism, material recycling, and metallogenesis. It highlights the significance of ridge subduction in modern oceanic plate tectonics and identifies areas for future research.
Researchers at NTU Singapore have developed a novel method using fruit peel waste to extract and reuse precious metals from spent lithium-ion batteries. The process creates minimal waste and can be scaled up for industrial use, offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional methods.
A new University of Michigan study reveals that two-thirds of the plastic put into use in the US in 2017 were used for other purposes, including electronics and furniture. The overall recycling rate for plastics in the US is slightly lower than previous estimates, at 8%.
A new study suggests that plastic from used personal protective equipment (PPE) can be transformed into renewable liquid fuels, similar to standard fossil fuels. Pyrolysis is identified as a promising method of recycling PPE waste into biofuels.
A study suggests that achieving Japan's plastic recycling targets will depend on collecting packaging waste from the food industry and households. The analysis reveals that it is possible to meet recycling targets if all feasible measures are implemented, but legislative action is hindered.
A recent study reveals that China's phosphorus cycling network has declined in resilience over the past four centuries, mainly due to increased food demand and dietary shifts. To mitigate this trend, experts suggest reducing fertilizer use, improving 'farm to fork efficiency', and increasing phosphorus recycling.
Research reveals exotic species diversity increases on Azores islands through human activities, disrupting native ecosystems and nutrient recycling processes. The study found a slight decrease in endemic island species, such as the Azorean money spider.
Researchers at NREL conducted the first global assessment of solar panel recycling approaches. They recommend focusing on high-value silicon purification and exploring techno-economic analyses to mitigate environmental impacts. The study aims to contribute to a PV circular economy, reducing waste and conserving valuable materials.
A new study found that European countries are exporting large amounts of plastic waste to Asia, where it is often not recycled and ends up in the ocean. The research estimated that between 1-7% of all exported European polyethylene ended up in the ocean, contributing to significant environmental and social impacts.
Researchers discovered a new mechanism linking osmotic stress to the activation of autophagosomes and lysosomes, which play central roles in cellular recycling and degradation. The study provides insights into how environmental influences impact cellular processes and offers potential therapeutic avenues for neurodegenerative diseases.
The ApoE4 variant prevents the recycling of sortilin, a receptor that supplies neurons with essential fatty acids. This disruption leads to reduced lipid uptake and increased inflammation in brain cells, making them susceptible to cell death.
Researchers at KIST developed a flame-retardant carbon fiber-reinforced composite material using plant-originated tannic acid. The new method allows for the recovery of over 99% of the composite material through dissolution in water, eliminating toxic substances generated during recycling.
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have identified a new genetic defect linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a devastating condition causing progressive paralysis and mental deterioration. The discovery may lead to new treatments for ALS, with potential implications for other neurodegenerative diseases.
A team of researchers has discovered a way to create a nitrogen-rich fertilizer using human waste, which could increase agriculture yields in developing countries and reduce groundwater contamination. The new method involves recycling nitrogen from urine through a process involving biochar and CO2 priming.
Researchers at Shinshu University have created a method to blend different types of thermoplastic materials without compromising their quality. By using a compatibilizer, they successfully melted various plastics together, paving the way for more efficient recycling and reducing plastic waste in the environment.
Researchers at Stockholm University developed a new recycling method for NiMH batteries, which improves their performance and reduces production costs by up to 95%. The process involves mechanical washing and separation of reusable electrode material, making it easier and cheaper than traditional battery recycling methods.
Scientists identify key proteins required for autophagy gene transcription during fasting, enabling activation of autophagic pathways to maintain a normal body weight. The discovery provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying autophagy and its potential therapeutic applications.
Researchers have created a chemical recycling process that breaks down real consumer plastics into a new product, a biodegradable solvent called methyl lactate. The method has been tested on various types of bioplastics and shown to produce high quantities of the green solvent, regardless of sample characteristics.
Researchers have discovered a new kind of rubber and catalyst that can be used to make flexible, repairable, sustainable objects. The new rubber material can be completely repaired and returned to its original strength in minutes, even at room temperature, with an amine catalyst.
Scientists found an unexpected intermediate in the peptidoglycan recycling pathway, which regulates cell wall assembly and composition. The study reveals a link between peptidoglycan recycling and de novo biosynthetic pathways.
Marine microbes, specifically thaumarchaea, play a crucial role in recycling carbon and phosphorus from marine algae. They fix approximately 3 moles of carbon for every 10 moles of ammonia oxidized, fixing roughly 3-fold higher rates than previously assumed.
Research on the Great Barrier Reef found severe coral loss is associated with increased biomass and productivity of large, long-living herbivorous fish. However, decreased recycling of this biomass could leave the ecosystem vulnerable to crashing.
Texas A&M University engineers have devised a simple one-step chemical reaction to separate out different components of nuclear waste. The method results in the formation of crystals containing all leftover nuclear fuel elements uniformly, reducing radioactivity and proliferation risk.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have found a way to recycle used polyurethanes into equivalent or even higher quality material, solving the issue of conventional waste lingering in landfills.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new method for upcycling polyurethane foams, turning them into higher-value rubbers and hard plastics. This process removes air from the foam to create durable plastics or soft films, paving the way for recycling of polyurethane foam waste in various applications.
A research team at the University of Bonn has discovered that the TLR8 immune sensor plays a crucial role in defending human cells against bacteria and other pathogens. The enzymes RNaseT2 and RNase2 break down bacterial RNA into characteristic fragments, allowing TLR8 to recognize and respond to the invasion.
Researchers are testing the feasibility of building roads from recycled plastics, mixed with asphalt for a safe and durable consistency. The project aims to create more sustainable roads while reducing waste and costs.
A study has uncovered a mechanism explaining how genetic mutations lead to nephrotic syndrome, a rare genetic kidney disorder. The researchers found that disruptions in the recycling of cell membranes cause abnormal kidney cell structure and function.
A study from the University of California, Davis found that whole orchard recycling can sequester 5 tons of carbon per hectare, increase water-use efficiency by 20 percent and boost crop yields by 19 percent. This practice also builds soil nutrients and water retention, mitigating climate change.